# NTSB LAX90DVG05: Lerstang Long EZE, N2069G, Willows, CA, May 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1990, 18:00 local (May 3, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Willows, CA
- Coordinates: 39.500762, -122.280342 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5008&lon=-122.2803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG05

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE CORRECT LANDING SPOT AND ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO DESCEND INTO THE GROUND WITHOUT TAKING PROPER AND TIMELY CORRECTIVE ACTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A VISUAL APPROACH TO LAND. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED 20 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE OR THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE VARIABLE AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2069G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2069G-2012-12-14), registration cancelled 2012-12-14, S/N 1381, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LERSTANG LONG EZE
- Registry model: [Lerstang Myrton LONG-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/lerstang-myrton-long-eze) (registry code 056092E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1381
- Airframe hours: 405
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lerstang, Myrton R.
- Registered owner: Myrton R Lerstang
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1990, 20 hours before
- Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Destination: CA
- Airport: WLW, Willows Glenn Co., runway 34, 4,506 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 3 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900502013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900502013149A), May 2, 1990: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. Reported power loss on approach. Landed 20 ft short. No anomalies. Undershot indicated.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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